The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-06-09
MUSIC MEDALS.

MUSIC MEDALS.
The Beautiful Speech ofRev.E.W. Smith
at Peace Institute.
lAt Peace Institute Commencement last
week. Rev. Egbert w. Smith, of Greens
boro, presented the music medals to the
young ladies'. We heard many say that it
was the most beautiful and appropriate
presentation speech they had ever heard.
AT our request he has furnished it to us
1or publication. We do not hesitate to
pronounce it ''a gem of purest ray serene,''
and We think our readers will thank us
for allowing them the pleasure of reading
it.-EDrToR.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:-It is made nv
pleasing duty tonight to present the mu-
sic medals, medals awarded to those who
have distinguished themselves by dill
gence, or by proficiency in that most pow
erful and enhancing of all the arts-the
art of music Truly those upon whom God
mas bestowed this divine gift, are worthy
OF our sncerest congratulations; for music
Is one of the recognized rulers, one of the
crowned and sceptred sovereigns of tho
human heart. Its power is almost omnipo-
tent. The whole gamut of human emo
ton, from the deepest reverential awe to
the widest thrill of frolicsome 10Y, it
sweeps with master hand "It calls the
religious devOtee to worship, the patriot
to his country's altar, the philanthropist
to his generous work, the freeman to the
temple of liberty, the friend to the altar
OF friendship, the lover to the side of his
beloved, the soldier to the impetuous on
set, the child to its mothers knee, the
Christian to the service of his God" The
human soul is a mighty harp, and all its
strings vibrate to the breath of music.
And as its power is universal and divine,
so we find its birthplace was not earth
but heaven. The first account of music
on record was at the laying of the fOun-
dations of the earth, when "the morning
stars, delighted at the promise of new
planet, ''sang together, and all the sons
OF God shouted for joy" And from that
day to this, the earth, with its forest
harps, its ocean organs and it's thunder
hymns, has been one sublime, unceasng
symphony of praise to the glory of its
great creator.
But while music holds all nature as her
instrument, and perhaps extends her sway
to unknown worlds, there is one place
where she most delights to dwell Born
abode upon earth that sacred shrine which
of all earthly places most resembles her
native Paradise, shrine of home, the
paradise of the home circle. Here she de-
lights to sit, throned queen, in the full
ness of her refining, elevatiny, enchanting
power. We are not of those who lament
that the piano and cabinet organ are now
heard where once the monotone of the
spinning wheel and the click of the shut
tie were the only instrumental performan-
ces. We rejoice in it; for no family can
afford to do without music 1t has been
well described as both a luxury and an
economy. 1t charms away grief, and en-
hances pleasure; tits the enemy of vice and
the friend of virtue. Show us the family
where good music is cultivated, and we
will show you one where harmony and
love prevail, and where the great vices
have no abiding place. But more especial
ly, show us that home circle where music
ministers at the altar of religion, where
voice and instrument are accustomed to
blend in the service of God, and we will
show you family whose members will
one day be promoted from this training
school of earth to join that "choir invis-
BILE whose music is the gladness of tho
world
The names of those young ladies who
have proved their appreciation of this di-
vine talent by exceptional progress or pro-
ticiency in its cultivation, / shall now
read, and if they will come forward as
their names are called, / shall be most
happy to present them with these beauti-
ful memorials of their success.
(To medalists for progress and diligence
in music.)
To you who have won these medals for
greatest diligence and improvement in
music, l would offer my heartiest congrat-
ulations. l congratulate you upon tho
possession Of genius, that rarest kind of
genius which a philosopher has defined to
be the capacity for hard work, the spirit
| of persevering, all-conquering industry.
Your possession of this heroic quality is
not cnly the best possible evidence that
you will reach still higher attainments in
music; it is the earnest of success in all
your undertakings, present promise
| that under the divine guidance, you will
| make yourselves power for good, in the
home circle, among your friends, and in
| the world. May God grant it.
CTo the medalists for proficiency, award
| ed by Prof. Baumann.)
In bestowing these medals for proficiency
| in vocal and instrumental music your be-
loved and honored teacher begs me to i'm
press upon you the necessity of aiming at
still greater proficiency. Be not satisfied
Win tneSe SOlO6n tokens or your past sue
cess, but let the sight of them enkindle in
you new aspirations and stimulate you to
new efforts.
| First of all, use the talent which God
has given you in his service. Emmulate
the spirit of the sainted Miss Havergal,
and be this your constant prayer,
''Take my talent, let it be
COnsecrated, Lord, to thee"
Secondly, use your talent to enhance
the pleasures and attractions of home.
You may live long in the world, God grant
you may, but believe me, young ladies,
you will never find a more important
sphere of influence, or grander field for
the exercises of all your gifts than the
blessed home circle. What higher ambi-
tion can you have than this, by the exer-
else of your talent, to make your homes
happier and better. Thus you will reflect
honor upon Peace Institute, upon your
teacher, and upon yourselves. Thus your
whole lives will be set to music, that music
which falls sweetest on the ear of men and
of angels, the music of self sacrificing SER
vice, for the good of others, and for the
glory of God.
Give Me Liberty or Death.